ENCOURAGE - EQUIP - EMPOWER
IT STARTS HERE.
Created with eternity set into our hearts, the human spirit is imbued to the deepest core with hope. This gift is given to every person in the history of humanity. Regardless of our station in life, what physical characteristics that we were born with, the circumstances we grew up in or who we become, the truth of our creation recognizes the image of God in all of us.
I get frustrated when I need to say the same thing to someone over and over again. Why don’t they just do it? Why do I keep having to repeat myself? It doesn’t take much for me to lose patience and start to have a bad attitude. So, when I keep messing up and don’t follow God’s commands, it’s easy for me to think He’s given up on me too, or at the very least, is running low on grace for my mistakes.
To some, February 14 is a dreaded day! All the hearts, flowers, chocolates, and romance in the air is a harsh reminder of dreams of love that have not yet materialized or of a lost love. To some it might be a reminder of a love who has passed away. This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the gal pals that enhance our lives!
As a lifelong single person so far, it’s an understatement to say that Valentine’s Day can be a source of sadness. After moving past the days of receiving Fun Dip and paper valentines from everyone in my elementary school class, it became a little harder each year to get excited about a holiday that celebrates a type of love I’ve never had.
To get more active, I am trying to get more steps in each day. I started off the new year walking with my husband or kids. If it wasn’t so cold, I would probably try to wrangle in one of my neighbors. But the other day, I went outside to get my steps in alone, and I was bored after a few minutes. I literally struggled to be alone in my thoughts.
Every year during the holiday season, we reflect on what we are thankful for and how grateful we are for all of the wonderful things in our lives. Then the new year comes along, and we instantly forget those things to make our resolutions. I resolve to eat better, work better, sleep better, live better… better, better, better. What happened to all those things we are thankful for?
The new year will soon be upon us and it’s time for those resolutions! You know, the ones you make every year. People try to make resolutions each year, with varying degrees of success. Just for fun, what do you think the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions of 2020 were? Take some guesses, then take a look …
What’s your favorite Christmas song?
My friends tease me for it, but I will forever stand by “The Little Drummer Boy.” Specifically the 1965 Harry Simeone Chorale version, although I’ll admit the Pentatonix cover gives me chills. (Also, I like to pretend the Justin Bieber version with the rap in the middle doesn’t exist.) Even though it’s been around since long before I was born, there’s just something about Harry Simeone’s version that fills me with a warm sense of nostalgia whenever I listen to it.
But it’s more than that.
She’s the first thing I give my time and attention to in the morning and the last one I see before bed.
She goes everywhere with me; basically, attached to my hip.
She’s my shadow; following me everywhere I go, including the bathroom.
She vies for my attention; interrupting me often.
She cries out and raises her voice again if I don’t respond right away.
I respond to her every request.
She keeps me entertained.
I’ve captured many of my favorite memories with her.
She’s my 4-year-old… phone.
As I think about Thanksgiving and being around friends and family, God brought something to mind.
I can be loud. I can be an ‘overtaker’ of conversation and attention. I don’t mean to be. It’s usually not on purpose, but it’s my tendency.
And when this happens, it’s easy for me to fall into the thoughts of “Well, this is just me.” “I am who I am. If you don’t like it, sorry (not sorry).” “I’m just being true to myself.”
But wait a minute. I am who I am? God is the only one who can use “ I am who I am.”
A people pleasing Jesus would have neither served God nor man. He would not have spoken the truth that would set us free because he would have worried about who would be offended. He would not have overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple because he would have been concerned about what people would think of his “temper.”
Over the last few months, I have learned (like many other teachers) that this “back to normal” school year is not actually “back to normal” at all. Somehow, with decreased health, safety precautions and the availability of a vaccine, this year seems even harder than last. A month or so ago I was in the middle of struggling with the school year, my mental health, and my general work life balance…
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7
This week Susan Veenema and Melanie Wilson take a look at the verses above and help us answer how we are built up in God.
Why do I let myself fall into the belief that everyone else has it figured out? Everyone else is livin’ the dream and somehow I missed the boat, so I’m stuck at harbor until the next cruise comes around.
What if, all this time, the harbor is the place I’m meant to be?
— Journal entry from February 4, 2020
